Public Sphere Project & StratML

I converted the Public Sphere Project's about statement to StratML format
for inclusion in our collection at
http://xml.fido.gov/stratml/drybridge/index.htm#PSP2 or, more specifically,
http://xml.fido.gov/stratml/carmel/PSP2wStyle.xml 

 

The vision of the StratML standard (ANSI/AIIM 21:2009 & 22:2011) is:  A
worldwide web of intentions, stakeholders, and results.  Its more explicit
purposes are outlined at
http://xml.fido.gov/stratml/index.htm#DefinitionPurposes 

 

Section 10
<http://xml.fido.gov/stratml/references/PL111-532StratML.htm#SEC10>  of the
GPRA Modernization Act (GPRAMA) requires U.S. federal agencies to publish
their strategic and performance plans and reports in machine-readable
format, like StratML.

 

It would be good if the Public Sphere Project could help extend that good
practice to all organizations deliberating public issues worldwide.

 

Owen Ambur

Chair, AIIM StratML Committee
<http://www.aiim.org/Research-and-Publications/Standards/Committees/StratMLC
:/Users/Owen%20Ambur/Documents/Ambur%20Children%20Tax%20Info> 

Co-Chair Emeritus, xml.gov <http://xml.fid.gov/>  CoP

Communications/Membership Director, FIRM <http://firmcouncil.org/index.htm> 

Former Project Manager, ET.gov <http://ambur.net/et/ETGovHistory.htm> 

Invited Expert, W3C eGov IG
<http://www.w3.org/2000/09/dbwg/details?group=42481&public=1> 

 

 

 

From: Steven Clift [mailto:clift@e-democracy.org] 
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 3:06 PM
To: newswire; brigade; sunlightlabs; inclusion@forums.e-democracy.org;
practitioners@ecampaigningforum.com; eGovIG IG
Subject: Fwd: [NCDD-DISCUSSION] CPSR dissolution and Gary Chapman, Winner of
CPSR's Norbert Wiener Award

 

A pioneering network in our space ...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Doug Schuler" <douglas@publicsphereproject.org>
Date: May 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Subject: [NCDD-DISCUSSION] CPSR dissolution and Gary Chapman, Winner of
CPSR's Norbert Wiener Award
To: <NCDD-DISCUSSION@lists.thataway.org>
Cc: 



 

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility Dissolution and 

Gary Chapman, Winner of CPSR's Norbert Wiener Award for Social and
Professional Responsibility

 

 

It is my unenviable task to announce that Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility (CPSR), a non-profit educational corporation, has been
dissolved. 

 

CPSR was launched in 1981 in Palo Alto, California, to question the
computerization of war in the United States via the Strategic Computing
Initiative to use artificial intelligence in war, and, soon after, the
Strategic Defense Initiative - "Star Wars". Over the years CPSR evolved into
a "big tent" organization that addressed a variety of computer-related areas
including workplace issues, privacy, participatory design, freedom of
information, community networks, and many others.

 

Now, of course, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of organizations and
movements that are concerned not only about the misuses of ICT by
governments and corporations (and others) but also about trying to develop
approaches that help communities work together to address issues related to
economic and other inequalities and environmental degradation - as well as
broader issues such as war and peace.

 

CPSR to me provided a vital link to important ideas and to inspirational and
creative people. These people believed that positive social change was
possible and that the use of ICT could play a significant role. For example,
in 1993, CPSR developed a document designed to help shape the National
Information Infrastructure (NII) program promoted by the Clinton/Gore
administration to help guide the evolution of networked digital
communication. Through a variety of conferences, workshops and reports, CPSR
encouraged conversations about computers and society that went beyond
hyperbole and conventional wisdom. 

 

Although in many ways the issues that CPSR helped publicize have changed
forms they generally still remain. The ethical and other issues surrounding
the computerization of war, for one thing, have not gone away just because
they're not prominent on the public agenda. CPSR's original focus on the use
of artificial intelligence in "battle management" etc. and the possibility
of launch on warning is probably still pertinent. The advent of ubiquitous
and inexpensive drones definitely is. 

 

Apparently, as many people know, the age of the participatory membership
organizations is over - their numbers are certainly way down - and we in
CPSR had certainly noticed that trend. I personally suspect that this
development is not necessarily a good thing. I certainly would welcome
another membership organization with CPSR's Big Tent orientation. 

 

On the occasion of CPSR's dissolution we've developed two small projects for
keeping CPSR's spirit alive.

 

The first is that it would be a good opportunity to catalog the groups and
organizations around the world that would be natural allies to CPSR if it
still existed. We've started this cataloging (see
http://www.publicsphereproject.org/civic_organizations) but presumably have
only captured a small fraction of these organizations. Please open an
account on the Public Sphere Project site and add the information about your
organization. 

 

The second is less concrete but probably no less important. To help the
current and future generation of activists as we envision possible futures
and interventions, we'd like to put these two related questions forward:
What applications of ICT are the most important to human development and
sustainability? And, on the other hand, What are the strongest challenges to
these applications? Please email me your thoughts on this and I will do my
best to compile the thoughts and make them public. 

 

*********

 

[deleted]